THE Royal Mail has joined the outcry against a decision by North Wiltshire District Council to refuse permission for new industrial units on the edge of Malmesbury.

Kevin Baddeley, manager of the Malmesbury Royal Mail sorting office, said: "We're very disappointed by the decision. It was very short-sighted."

The council's joint development control committee for the Malmesbury area last month turned down a plan by builder Andy Nurden to put up three light industrial units at his Crudwell Road garden centre. It was refused on the grounds that it fell outside the boundaries of the council's ten-year structure plan.

The sorting office, as well as several firms in the area, expressed an interest in the units even before they were built because of a shortage of industrial space that is preventing firms from expanding.

Mr Baddeley warned in May that residents could end up having to travel to Swindon or Cricklade to collect their parcels if the High Street sorting office was unable to find bigger premises.

He said this week: "We are absolutely desperate for new accommodation. Our people were in negotiations with Mr Nurden to earmark a unit."

Custom Transformers, in Bristol Road, Malmesbury, was also hoping to take up one of the units. Managing director Kevin Baldwin said his firm, which employs 60, may have to consider relocating to Wales if it is unable to find larger premises in the town within 18 months.

Mr Baldwin said: "If we can't expand and increase our storage and deliveries, then we won't be able to increase our customer base. We would be very sorry to leave Malmesbury because we've been here for 29 years."